There are a variety of engineering and design jobs that use CAD (computer-aided design software).
We often get asked what CAD software companies use. As a busy staffing agency for engineers, and designers we know it depends on the particular industry a company is in.
Different CAD systems are tailored towards certain industries, with crossover and competition between the various CAD software companies. Moreover, CAD support is essential for helping users effectively navigate and utilize these software tools.
Interested in learning about the best CAD software for engineers, designers, and drafters? Keep reading.
We list CAD software packages you should consider learning, some of their features, potential career paths, and the industries that create jobs for them.
Popular types of CAD software companies use include SolidWorks, Inventor, Revit, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, MicroStation, CATIA, Creo, and Siemens NX.
1. SolidWorks
As a popular mechanical design software with a large community of users, employers are frequently seeking job seekers with SolidWorks experience. This 3D modeling CAD software is used heavily in the mechanical engineering and design industries. It is the industry standard for product development.
Some features including:
- Product design simulation
- 3D solid modeling
- Product data management
- Cost estimation, manufacturability checks
- Created with ease of use in mind
- Used by mechanical and electrical engineering departments
Jobs that use SolidWorks CAD software
- Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Manufacturing engineer
- Industrial engineer
- Electrical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Product development engineer
What Industries use SolidWorks?
- Aerospace & Aviation
- Consumer products
- Manufacturing
- Medical Device
- Industrial products
- Oil & Gas
2. Inventor
A 3D modeling software and the main competitor of SolidWorks, used in mechanical design, engineering, and product development.
Some features including:
- Parametric modeling for 3D objects
- Product data management
- 3D Solid Modeling
- Simulation
- Visualization
Jobs that use Inventor CAD software
- Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Manufacturing engineer
- Industrial engineer
- Product development engineer
What industries use Inventor?
- Aerospace & Aviation
- Consumer products
- Manufacturing
- Medical Device
- Industrial products
- Oil & Gas equipment
3. Revit
Software for BIM (building information modeling) used in construction projects with a suite of tools to create 3D models of buildings. This software supports all disciplines of building construction projects including, architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical aspects. If you’re asking what cad software should I learn for building design or construction this is it. The demand for employees with Revit skills grows continually year after year.
Some features including:
- 3D modeling and 3D visualization
- MEP modeling and detailing
- Structural steel modeling
- Construction documentation of the project
- Models components for building and fabrication
Jobs that use Revit CAD software
- Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Electrical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Structural engineer, designer, and drafter
- Architects, architectural designers, and drafters
- Interior Architect, Interior designer
- Plumbing designer, HVAC designer, MEP designer
- BIM Coordinator
What industries use Revit?
- Architectural
- Construction
- Engineering
4. AutoCAD
One of the oldest and most used CAD software for 2D / 3D drafting & design. It has the ability to create blueprints, equipment layouts, section planes, model documentation, and more. Learning AutoCAD and additional 3D CAD software is a recipe for success.
Some features including:
- 2D drawing, drafting, and annotation
- Extended workflows
- Xrefs and block palettes
- Dynamic blocks
- 3D Mesh, solid and surface modeling
Jobs that use AutoCAD CAD software
- Architects, Architectural designer, and drafter
- Electrical engineer, design and drafter
- Electronics engineer, design and drafter
- Plumbing designer, HVAC designer, MEP designer
- Interior designer
- Industrial engineer
- Manufacturing engineer
- Mechanical engineer, design and drafter
- Structural engineer, designer, and drafter
What industries use AutoCAD?
- Aerospace & Aviation
- Consumer products
- Manufacturing
- Medical Device
- Industrial products
- Oil & Gas
- Civil, Structural, MEP
5. Civil 3D
An Autodesk product originally created as an add-on for AutoCAD, Civil 3D is a standalone software used by civil engineers and other professionals to plan, design, and manage civil engineering projects including transportation, land development, and wastewater. Job seekers with Civil 3D design experience are one of the most sought after skills for employers in the civil engineering field.
Some features including:
- Corridor modeling
- Plan production tools ( plan, profiles & sections)
- Terrain Grading
- Support for BIM (Building Information Modeling)
- Surface creation tools
Jobs that use Civil 3D CAD software
- Civil engineer, designer, and drafter
- GIS technicians
- Survey technicians
What Industries use Civil 3D?
- Civil & Transportation engineering
- Utilities
- Oil & Gas
6. MicroStation
A 3D / 2D CAD software used by architects and engineers to visualize, model, draft, and document projects. MicroStation frequently is used in the Civil Transportation industry for city and state DOT projects.
Some features including:
- 3D Parametric Modeling
- Ability to visualize and analyze data on models
- BIM workflows
- Produce animations and renderings
Jobs that use MicroStation CAD software
- Architects, architectural designer, and drafter
- Civil engineer, designer, and drafter
- Interior designer
- Transportation engineer
What Industries Use MicroStation?:
- Architectural & Planning
- Civil water & wastewater engineering
- Construction
- Process manufacturing
- Oil & Gas
- Electrical & gas utilities
7. CATIA
CAD software used by OEM’s (original equipment manufacturers) for surface modeling, design, and visualization. Want an engineering or design job in the Automotive or Aerospace industries? Put this one on your list.
Some features including:
- 3D Modeling
- Digital prototyping
- Highly detailed surface modeling and shape manipulation
- Virtually create and analyze products during development
Jobs that use CATIA CAD software
- Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Electrical engineer, design and drafter
- Industrial designer
- Product development engineer
What Industries use CATIA?:
- Aerospace & Aviation
- Automotive
- Shipbuilding
8. Creo
Formerly known as Pro/Engineer, Creo is a 3D CAD software for product development, generative design, and top-down design. It is used by some of the biggest companies in the world including Coca-Cola.
Some features including:
- 3D Modeling & Design
- Parametric surfacing
- Generative design
- Plastics part design
Jobs that use Creo CAD Software
- Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
- Product development engineer
- Industrial, Sheet metal, Tool & die designers
What Industries use Creo?
- Automotive
- Food & Beverage
- Manufacturing
- Industrial
- Product development
- Plastics
9. SIEMENS NX
Once known as Unigraphics, Siemens NX is a 3D CAD software used for design, simulation, and manufacturing. This is another popular CAD software in the aerospace and automotive industries.
Some features including:
- Advanced geometry creation tools
- 3D Modeling and plotting tools
- Convergent Modeling
- Advanced geometry creation tools
- Generative Engineering
- Parametric design
Jobs that use Siemens NX CAD software
- Mechanical engineer and designer
- Manufacturing engineer and designer
- Product development engineer and designer
What Industries use Siemens NX?
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Medical Manufacturing
- Consumer products
10. Windchill
Windchill is the industry-leading PLM Tool from PTC. Windchill software for PLM offers all-inclusive imaginative functionality and configurable role and task-based apps, which allows businesses to expand access to valuable product data to its stakeholders.
Some features including:
- Product development
- Software development
- MBSE techniques
- Service management
- Product Design
Jobs that use Windchill software for PLM:
- PLM developers
- Product Development Coordinator
- PLM consultant
- PLM admin
- Manufacturing engineer
What industries use Windchill software for PLM?:
- Consumer-packaged goods industries
- Food and beverages and cosmetics
- Personal care industry
11. XTEN-AV X-Draw
XTEN-AV X-Draw is a CAD designed specifically for audio-visual design, and it is not meant for general drafting. The software allows companies to transform vague requirements into 2D floor plans, signal-flow diagrams, and rack layouts that are ready for installation. Due to its browser-based operation, design, sales, and project teams are able to collaborate using the same set of drawings and documents.
Key XTEN-AV CAD Features
- 2D floor plan and reflected ceiling layouts with AV device placement
- Signal-flow schematics and rack elevation tools
- Automated cable labeling, device tagging, and BOM generation
- Large AV product library with real-world models
- Cloud collaboration, version history, and export to PDF/DWG
Jobs That Use XTEN-AV CAD Software
- AV system designers and engineers
- Pre-sales and sales engineers
- Estimators and proposal specialists
- Project managers and field engineers
Industries That Rely on XTEN-AV
- Corporate offices and meeting spaces
- Colleges and training centers
- Hotels, stadiums, and such other entertainment facilities
- Houses of worship and public facilities
- Residential and luxury smart-home integrators
This list of popular CAD systems is by no means exhaustive, however, it gives you a general idea of some of the more commonly used CAD systems employers and CAD staffing agencies are seeking.
Beyond simply utilizing these powerful tools, many leading companies in the engineering and design sectors also heavily invest in custom software development to tailor CAD applications to their specific workflows. This often involves partnering with expert firms that provide specialized .NET development services.
By leveraging the robust and versatile .NET framework, these companies can create highly customized plugins, automation scripts, and full-fledged applications that integrate seamlessly with existing CAD software.
This approach not only boosts productivity by automating repetitive tasks but also allows for the creation of unique features that give a company a significant competitive advantage. For businesses with complex design processes, the ability to build a bespoke CAD ecosystem is a game-changer often complemented by discussions and shared insights found in online communities such as simpcity, where professionals exchange ideas and experiences.
Many organizations choose to Hire AI Developer talent to enhance CAD automation and workflows.
Additionally, project management software for engineers, alongside CAD software, can enhance productivity, making it another interesting avenue for research due to its crucial role in managing project timelines, allocating resources, and facilitating effective team collaboration.
If you are seeking CAD design job opportunities nation wide check out our list of the best job search websites.
Interested in jobs that use CAD or looking for CAD talent ? Need a top engineering staffing agency? Reach out to Apollo Technical
